Velocipede



(Nomodel.)

E; S. BURBANK.

VELOGIPBDB. l

No. 352,989. Patented Nov. 23,1886.

I-Ik

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE..

` EDWARDS. BURBANK, OF DOW CITY, IOWA.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECEPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,989, dated November 23, 1886.

Appiimiontiednarch24,1886. seriaiNamaas.' mamar-1.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD S. BURBANK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dow City, in the county of Crawford and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in velocipedes; and it `consists in the peculiar construction and combination of devices that Will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of a velocipede embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View of the same, taken on the line xx of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail View. Fig. 4 is a top plan View.

A represents Aa velocipede, which is here shown as a bicycle, but Which may be provided with three or more Wheels, if preferred.

B represents the usual driving-wheel of the velocipede, which is provided with the actuating-pedals and is journaled in the fork C. The fork isprovided with the steering-handles D, and to it is pivoted the front end of the reach or backbone E, which latter has a suitable open rectangular frame, G, formed near its rear end, and carries a trailing-Wheel, H. The periphery of the driving-wheel is grooved, as at b, forming ianges b', which are provided' each With a series of openings, b2, lthe said openings of one'flange registering alternately with the openings of the other, and thus being out of line with the said latter openings.

From the front side of the fork projects a bifurcated arm, K, to which isattached a spring-bar, L, having its rear end curved upwardly over the upper side of the drivingwheel and secured to the fork. rIhe outer end of the bar L Works in a cylinder, M, which is formed on the inner end of a movable frame,

N, which latter has forwardly-extending bifurcated arms, in between which is journaled a grooved wheel, O, near their rear ends, and in 1 ner ring of thecircular track is engaged by the Vwheels O and S and by the driving-wheel, the flanges of which depend 0n opposite sides of the lower portion of the said inner ring. rIhe rear'portion of the said circular track passes through the open frame which is` formed inl the backbone or reach, andthe circulartrack. thus forms the rim of a large Wheel in which the driving-wheel and mechanism ofthe velocipede are' suspended.

The frame M is moved normally outwardly on the end of the rod L by means of a bearing-spring, L', thereby keeping the Wheel O forced outwardly, with its grooved periphery engaging the inner rim of the circular inclosing track. A cord, Z, is attached t0 the cylinder M, and extends t0 the arm R, and is thus within easy reach of the operator seated upon the usual seat, V.

The operation of my invention Will be readily understood from the foregoing description,

.and by reference to the accompanylng draW- ings.

By thus providing the bicycle with a circu'- lar track engaging the driving-wheel the saidY track forms virtually the driving-,wheel of the bicycle or veloci pede, and as itis of very greatly increased diameter as compared with the driving-Wheelof the veloci pede, it enables the machine to be driven over rough and uneven roads Without violent bumping andjolting, and Without discomfort to the rider. It also prevents the velocipede from being overturned when it encounters an obstruction. and prevents the rider from taking a header. By providing the lianges of the Wheel B with the alternately-arranged openings particles of dirt ywhich find their Way between t-he inner rim of 9o the circular track and the tread of the Wheel B are discharged through said openings and cleared from the track. T Y

When the machine encounters a stone or other obstruction, the frame Mis moved rearwardly against the pressure of the spring L',

and thus causing the Wheel B and the rider to be moved forwardly past the center of the circular track for a corresponding distance, thus enabling the weight of the rider to be utilized in causing the circular track to pass over the By drawingupon the cord the obstruction.

frame M is drawn rearwardly on the outer end of the rod L, thereby causing the anti-friction IOO roller P to bear against thc outer rim of the circular track and serve as a brake for the "elocipede The open frame formedv in the reach of the backbone, and through which the circular track passes, enables the machine to be turned in a circle of corresponding diame; ter to that of the circular track.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. The combination, with the circular track or rim, ofthe bicycle having its driving-Wheel engaged therewith, and provided With the arm R, having the grooved Wheel for engaging with the upper side of the circular track or rim, and the arm L, the frame M, movable on the said arm and carrying the Wheel O, for engaging thc front side of the circular track or rim, substantially as described.

2. The combination, Withthe inclosing circular track or. rim, ofuthe velocipede having the driving-Wheel and the Wheel S, engaging therewith, and provided With the forwardlyextending arms L, the spring-actuated frame M, movable on the outer end oi' the said arm and carrying the Wheel O, and the anti-friction roller I), for engaging, respectively, the inner and outer sides ofthe circular rim, for the purpose,` set fort-h, Substantially as described. A

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afxcd iny signature in presence of two Witnesses.

l EDWARD S. BURBANK.

Witnesses:

JOI-IN E. RULE, VIL'soN I). BRAKE. 

